Preparing for the Annapurna circuit trek.

It is pouring right now in Pokhera, weather has been on and off every day since we arrived. Sights of Annapurna opened for the first time a few days ago, and the sight of the shortly unveiled peak were awesome.

We got a stove, gas, cookware, cups, a set of use poles for me, a used "4" man tent in new condition. Also picked up food (1kg oats and dahl, trail mix, coffee, peanut candy, etc.,) matches, spare lighter, water bottles, spare batteries for our headlamps, a tripod, and pack covers for rain. Our kits are ready, and packs are being preped tonight.

We have bought both Entry tickets and Registration cards for the ACA (Annapurna Conservation Area) for the cost of 2000 Nepali rupees for the ticket, and 1600 rupees for the Registration card, plus a few hundred in passport sized photos, which if you are bringing from home you never have enough for traveling in Asia.

Our route is counterclockwise, starting from Besisahar, the common start point, and the route most take, as clockwise the Thorung pass is more dangerous to cross.

From Besisahar to the Thorung Pass is 111km and 4400m climb, bringing us to the highest pass on this trek at 5416m or 17,769ft. This is also claimed to be one of the tallest sustained passes on the planet.

We will hike down the north side of the pass down to Muktinath, a sacred Shiva place, and holiest site for shiva worship pets outside of India. At Muktinath (3800m) we will rent mountain bikes and descend to Jomson at 2720m, then Tatopani at 1200m, after which we have to climb 3000m over 20km to Poonhill at 3200m, and it's all downhill back to Pokhera.